https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4475-1039
Abstract
Purpose
Caring for children with chronic diseases, caregivers have to manage their child’s daily life to prevent complications and improve their quality of life. This study investigated family management of children with chronic diseases, quality of life of children, and correlation between family management of caregivers and quality of life of children as perceived by the caregivers.
Patients and Methods
This cross-sectional study collected data from 200 pairs of caregivers and children with asthma, anemia, and thalassemia aged 5 to 12 years after receiving treatment and follow-up in the pediatric outpatient department of the tertiary hospital, June to November 2020. Research instruments comprised a Family Management Measure (FaMM) and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL 4.0). Data were analyzed using descriptive and Spearman rank correlation coefficient statistics.
Results
The caregivers of children obtained a mean score on family management of 166.88 (S.D.= 11.32). The quality of life of children with chronic illness had a mean score of 66.59 (S.D.= 18.63). Correlation analysis revealed that easy family management of the caregivers had a positive correlation with the quality of life of children with chronic diseases. On the contrary, difficulty in family management negatively correlated with the quality of life of the children.
Conclusion
Most caregivers could have easy family management in caring for the children. In summary, easy family management will allow children with chronic illness to receive decent care from their caregivers, contributing to improved quality of life.
Graphical abstract
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Data Sharing Statement
Additional data are not available.
Acknowledgments
The authors wish to thank Kathleen Knafl for permitting to use of FaMM. I would also like to congratulate Mapi Research Trust Organization for allowing to use of PedsQL 4.0. My gratitude goes to the Research Institute for Health Sciences and the Excellence Center of Nursing Institute, Walailak University, to give me invaluable support. The assistance and cooperation provided by Maharaj Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital and research participants were greatly appreciated.
Author Contributions
Both authors made a significant contribution during conception, study design, execution, data acquisition, analysis, interpretation, drafting, revising, and critically reviewing the article, and gave final approval of the version to be published. In addition, the authors agreed to the journal that the article was submitted to and to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Disclosure
The authors report no conflicts of interest for this work or regarding the publication of this paper.